Pick your 2014 starting catcher and contract

[G-Snarls]

We all know JP has to go. It's sad but it's plainly obvious. He's hurting this team. I can see AA keeping him as the backup and probably non-tendering Thole. I don't imagine has any trade value. Regardless, this is a pretty good year to pick up a free agent catcher. The large number available probably lowers the price too by simple supply and demand.

 

I think it's critical that whoever we sign be signed early in the off season, meet the picthers, review data and video this winter, and be there bright and early for pitchers and catchers report day in spring training to get a feel for our pitching staff.

 

From cot's, available free agent catchers this off season:

 

Rod Barajas

Henry Blanco

John Buck

Jesus Flores

Ramon Hernandez

Gerald Laird

Brian McCann

Jose Molina

Dioner Navarro

Wil Nieves

Miguel Olivo

Ronny Paulino

Brayan Pena

A.J. Pierzynski

Humberto Quintero

Carlos Ruiz

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Kelly Shoppach

Chris Snyder

Geovany Soto

Kurt Suzuki *

Yorvit Torrealba

 

Who's your pick?

[G-Snarls]

Personally I'd like McCann:

 

- Perennial 3-4 WAR catcher

- Considerd a very good defensive catcher

- Career average .350 OBP

 

but aren't the Braves likely to make him a strong offer?

 

They could go back to Gattis but...

[eastcoastjaysfan]

I wonder how much it would take to get Lucroy via trade. His contract is so team friendly. Probably a massive haul.

[Angrioter]

AA mind

JP (20 HR, 51 Ribeyes) = Wieters (20 HR, 66 Ribeyes)

[G-Snarls]

I wonder how much it would take to get Lucroy via trade. His contract is so team friendly. Probably a massive haul.

 

No point trading anything with all these free agents available

[G-Snarls]

AA mind

JP (20 HR, 51 Ribeyes) = Wieters (20 HR, 66 Ribeyes)

 

I think AA has finally seen the writing on the wall this season. I don't think he's THAT blind. JP got more than a fair shake, but it's plain he is a poor defender and not getting better, and he can't hit for average/OBP. It's just that in public AA and Gibby need to look supportive. Behind closed doors I'm sure they discuss his deficiencies.

[DuckDuckGose]

Personally I'd like McCann:

 

- Perennial 3-4 WAR catcher

- Considerd a very good defensive catcher

- Career average .350 OBP

 

but aren't the Braves likely to make him a strong offer?

 

They could go back to Gattis but...

 

McCann would be my ideal target as well. I'd offer him a Jose Bautista 6yr $84M deal. I have no idea if it will take more or less than that though. It's going to depend on how many and which teams are involved.

[DuckDuckGose]

I wonder how much it would take to get Lucroy via trade. His contract is so team friendly. Probably a massive haul.

 

It would take the Brewers deciding to completely blow it up. I think they are trying to rebuild but, I think they hang on to Braun and Lucroy.

 

In terms of value if MIL does decide to field offers for him I'm thinking Stroman + Jimenez + their pick of Nolin/Hutch/Drabek might get it done.

[TBJ12]

McCann would be my ideal target as well. I'd offer him a Jose Bautista 6yr $84M deal. I have no idea if it will take more or less than that though. It's going to depend on how many and which teams are involved.

 

This team could find better ways to spend $84M.

[DuckDuckGose]

Like? Replacing the turf with real grass?

[Sorrow]

Carlos Ruiz on 3/22 if he takes that, if not get Molina and Suzuki and platoon them.

[DuckDuckGose]

Carlos Ruiz on 3/22 if he takes that, if not get Molina and Suzuki and platoon them.

 

Carlos Ruiz would be my plan B. He mashes lefties and can be played against the majority of righties. A John Buck/Ruiz platoon would be a huge improvement over this year's JPA/Thole tandem.

[BlueJayWay]

McCann would be amazing. Obviously, he's the best on that list. But he'd cost a lot and for all we know wouldn't want to come here.

 

In the slightly more reasonable sphere, someone like Ruiz or Pierzynski or even John Buck could possibly be had.

[G-Snarls]

McCann would be amazing. Obviously, he's the best on that list. But he'd cost a lot and for all we know wouldn't want to come here.

 

In the slightly more reasonable sphere, someone like Ruiz or Pierzynski or even John Buck could possibly be had.

 

Any of those three except maybe Buck would be a significant upgrade.

 

Also, not sure Buck would want to come back here after we dumped him for $ savings.

[DuckDuckGose]

Buck isn't a starting C anymore but, he'd still make a great back up IMO. If he has no hard feeling towards the org I'd love to see him back in a reduced role. We know he loves the city/fans, he would just need to patch things up with AA/Beeston to make it work.

 

As much as people harp on AA for trading away all of those prospects how bad does moving Buck, Mathis and d'Arnaud in one off-season look now?

[Frenchsoup]

I'm curious as to what will happen with Thole. He's owed $1.25 million and is probably no tradeable. I guess he'll probably buried in AAA.

 

Well as long as R.A is around i believe thole will be here, he is the only catcher in the world that can catch that knuckleball!

[G-Snarls]

well as long as r.a is around i believe thole will be here, he is the only catcher in the world that can catch that knuckleball!

 

lol

[G-Snarls]

I'm curious as to what will happen with Thole. He's owed $1.25 million and is probably no tradeable. I guess he'll probably buried in AAA.

 

I'd expect he is put in waivers, clears, and accepts his assignment to Buffalo

[G-Snarls]

I'm sure Buck realizes full well he's never going to get paid anything near 6 million dollars again. Two teams dumped him in 12 months purely because of the $$.

[G-Snarls]

Why laugh, the Jays traded Buck for Thole and Nickeas for this very reason.

 

I was laughing at the sarcastic suggestion that only Thole could catch Dickey. The poster who made that statement didn't mean it. I was laughing with him.

 

Blanco caught it fine. I'm sure McCann or Ruiz could as well.

[leaffie]

Most would go with McCann, but I doubt the Jays would get him. A.J. Pierzinsky for me.

[Abomination]

We all know JP has to go. It's sad but it's plainly obvious. He's hurting this team. I can see AA keeping him as the backup and probably non-tendering Thole. I don't imagine has any trade value. Regardless, this is a pretty good year to pick up a free agent catcher. The large number available probably lowers the price too by simple supply and demand.

 

I think it's critical that whoever we sign be signed early in the off season, meet the picthers, review data and video this winter, and be there bright and early for pitchers and catchers report day in spring training to get a feel for our pitching staff.

 

From cot's, available free agent catchers this off season:

 

Rod Barajas

Henry Blanco

John Buck

Jesus Flores

Ramon Hernandez

Gerald Laird

Brian McCann

Jose Molina

Dioner Navarro

Wil Nieves

Miguel Olivo

Ronny Paulino

Brayan Pena

A.J. Pierzynski

Humberto Quintero

Carlos Ruiz

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Kelly Shoppach

Chris Snyder

Geovany Soto

Kurt Suzuki *

Yorvit Torrealba

 

Who's your pick?

 

Honestly, the only two guys on that list that I think are of any interest are McCann and Ruiz. Most of the rest are basically backups at best. McCann is an incredible fit, with (according to the metrics) plus defense, elite pitch framing, and he's a middle of the order lefty power bat.

 

I was surprised to read some articles recently saying that McCann's defense wasn't too good, and that he'd be a better fit in the AL where he could transition to the DH role over the next few years. Since I don't watch the Braves on tv, I don't know if that's true or not. The metrics don't seem to agree.

[Laika]

Chooch for something like 2/10

And Kurt Suzuki for almost nothing.

 

Trade JPA for anything. Cash, PTBNL, whatever.

 

Keep Thole in Buffalo for depth since AJ is a flaky commodity right now.

 

I've always liked Suzuki for some reason. I think it's a good opportunity to buy way low on him.

[Frenchsoup]

Honestly, the only two guys on that list that I think are of any interest are McCann and Ruiz. Most of the rest are basically backups at best. McCann is an incredible fit, with (according to the metrics) plus defense, elite pitch framing, and he's a middle of the order lefty power bat.

 

I was surprised to read some articles recently saying that McCann's defense wasn't too good, and that he'd be a better fit in the AL where he could transition to the DH role over the next few years. Since I don't watch the Braves on tv, I don't know if that's true or not. The metrics don't seem to agree.

 

Yeah i think McCanns D is solid just saw him in the couple series and it wasn't noticeable (good or bad), he seems to work pretty well with the Atlanta pitching staff though so that and left handed power bat is a huge upgrade in itself.

[Angrioter]

Ugghh.....AJ's horrible derensively

 

AJ, JA , PJ or JP?

[The Cats Ass]

Ugghh.....AJ's horrible derensively

 

No he's not. He's constantly above average defensively.

[KSaw]

-Non tender Arencibia

-Keep Thole

-Sign Ruiz

[KSaw]

No he's not. He's constantly above average defensively.

 

In spite if winning the 2012 Gold Glove, he ranked out of the top 60 catchers defensively. He is lazy behind the plate and often slaps at balls and shows weak efforts to block. Here's the thing- he's moody and crusty. If its a big game or a close game, you see his solid A effort. If he's just not in the mood to try, it sure shows.

[GD]

Sign one of Pierzynski, Salty or Ruiz to start. AJ/Salty are great pitch framers and Ruiz would probably be cheap and could have a nice rebound year.

 

Sign Molina to backup. Excellent framing, and maybe get some of dat Morrow awesomeness back.

[GD]

No he's not. He's constantly above average defensively.

 

Fangraphs says no. His pitch framing numbers are there though.